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President Obama is paid $400,000 a year to jet around the globe, shake hands, sign legislation, and sprout several new gray hairs. His wife, who will fly to Maryland today for a clinic for war veterans before hosting a poetry event at the White House, doesn't collect a wage at all. But she should, writes Gregory Krieg at Policy.Mic. In fact, "the president should request an income for Michelle Obama and all future first spouses in the next White House budget ... because it would send a powerful signal that equal pay is an important principle at the highest level of government," Krieg writes.

Not only would such a move "set a standard for young people," it would show that "the work done either raising a child or children in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. or keeping a busy public schedule like Michelle Obama's (or, as with Obama, doing both), is worthy of legitimate compensation," Krieg says. If President Obama—who mentioned his wife's lack of salary when discussing the Paycheck Fairness Act this week—comes up against Republican opposition, Krieg says he need only read this 1982 quote from Nancy Reagan: "You know, the government, with the first lady, gets an employee free." Click for his full piece, or read a case for why the role of first lady should be eliminated.

If she had any sense of decency, Michelle Obama would reimburse the treasury (us) for 7+ years of worldwide junkets, all expenses paid vacations for her and her 200-person entourage, and bad mouthing this great country. She ought to be ashamed of herself and we should all be thrilled for the day when this ungrateful woman is sent back home.

Tommy Cheech

May 4, 2016 10:15 AM CDT

Give me a break with this. Everything a first lady does is voluntary, on her time, and adds little value to an administration. The first lady's job is to support the president, decorate the White House, and generally stay out of the way of official business. The fact that her husband receives a $400,000/year salary, $50,000 spending account, all expenses paid use of Air Force One, Marine One, limousine, full-time protection, free room and board in a mansion, and every other benefit that comes with the job is more than fair compensation for the first lady's role.

Ry the Stunner

Feb 15, 2016 4:13 PM CST

Equal pay for all!! I say we incorporate a law that says companies (both public and private) are required to pay a salary to employee spouses because equal pay!!